Removing excess enamel wash is removing underlying acrylic layers too and I don't know why

JohnnyK

I find that Testors' enamel thinner also removes Testors' Metalizer paints, eventhough the paints are lacquer paints.

 

Ya, not too handy for cleaning up pin washes !

oldermodelguy

 

 

JohnnyK

I find that Testors' enamel thinner also removes Testors' Metalizer paints, eventhough the paints are lacquer paints.

 

 

 

 

Ya, not too handy for cleaning up pin washes !

 

Check this out, I am working on a Mig 15. The tail is painted red (Tamyia laquer paint). I also used Tamyia "Panel Line Accent Color", which is an enamel paint. I used Testors' enamel thinner to remove the excess enamel panel line paint and the red lacquer paint was not effected by the thinner. "Strange days have found us" (Doors).

Thank you all for your feedback and advice. I managed to complete the Spitfire so I thought I'd post a photo. There are lots of areas where I can improve but I'm pleased with the result, especially since it's been over 40 years since I completed the last one!

I have two other kits on the go (Airfix 1:32 WW1 B Type Bus and a Mr. Hobby 1956 VW Beetle) and will put your advice to good use. I did minimal weathering on the Spitfire but the WW1 bus will see its fair share of Flanders mud.

Thanks again!

Good looking model ! Glad you worked out the weathering wash. I too did the exact same thing only i used Acrylic color coat, Laquer gloss and than turpentine to remove wash...wow it removed paint down to the plastic. I now use acrylic color coat, future gloss coat (acrylic) and Mineral spirits for cleaning the weathering wash of oils. Works a lot better.

You should be proud of that, it looks good.

High scores for perseverance.

It's quite a shock when it happens but at least it's a lesson you don't forget easily. Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks Greg!

I had the same experience years ago: I painted with Tamiya acrylics; a week later I gave it a coat of future, decalled two days after that; gave it another coat of future the next night; then let that dry for two more days. I had read somewhere that enamel washes were superior to others, so I made a wash using Model Master paint with Testors' enamel thinner, which then proceeded to strip paint away. It didn't do it everywhere: mostly, I noticed, in places where it had pooled. The paint and clear coats came off when I disturbed it with my brush trying to remove the excess. 

I though it would be safe to use over an acrylic coat, but obviously this wash hadn't read the hobby magazines. I stopped using it and went to mineral spirits, and I've been suspicious of any kind of enamel wash, home-made or commercial, ever since.

Congratulations on your Spitfire!

Thanks very much! I've completed two kits since then and have another almost done.